Weft control apparatus



Oct. 17, 1967 v. BARTOSEK ETAL 3,347,283

WEFT CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 7, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS' IMW 13014 4 KM we mam/.42 ATTORN EY 17, 1967 v. BARTOSEK ETAL 3,347,283

'WEFT CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 7, 1965 4 Sheets-$heet P,

lNVEN/g'ORSu M w l WW4 044a eofre flaw 65m ATTORNEY 1967 v. BARTOSEK ETAL 3,

WEFT CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Sept. '7, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Oct. 17, 1967 v. BARTOSYEK ETAL. 3,347,283

' WEFT CONTROL APPARATUS Filed se t. 7, 1965 c 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent 3,347,283 WEFT CONTROL APPARATUS Vladimir Bartosek, Vilm Janousek, and Otto Rotrekl, Brno, Czechoslovakia, assignors to Elitex, Sdrnieni podniku textilniho strojirenstvi, Barvirska, Liberec, Czechoslovakia Filed Sept. 7, 1965, Ser. No. 485,251 Claims priority, application Czechoslovakia, Sept. 4, 1964, 4,935/64 14 Claims. (Cl. 139-122) The present invention relates to a weft control apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for controlling the tensioning, braking and insertion of a weft thread into a gripper shuttle or like weft inserter in a loom of the type in which the shuttle does not carry a supply of weft thread, but draws the weft thread from a stationary thread supply.

In looms of this type, it is necessary to tension and brake the weft yarn while a thread guide inserts the weft thread into the shuttle, and to release the weft thread for free movement during the pick of the shuttle which draws the weft thread through the thread guide from the weft thread supply. It is also necessary to provide a weft stop motion which, upon breakage or loosening of the weft thread, stops the loom. It is further necessary to brake and tension a weft thread on one side of the loom, while another weft thread, supplied on the other side of the loom, is transported by the shuttle through the wrap shed.

In accordance with the constructions of the prior art serving this purpose, several independently operating devices are provided, each of which is controlled by an independent drive, requiring synchronization of all drives with the operation of the loom. The several devices of the prior art result in a very complicated construction, particularly if weft threads of different colors are to be woven in accordance with the pattern.

It is one object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of weft control apparatus for looms, and to provide a weft control apparatus of simple construction which reliably operates.

Another object of the invention, is to provide weft control apparatus in which at least the tensioning and braking of the weft thread is controlled by a single drive.

Another object of the invention is to provide a weft control apparatus for tensioning, braking, and inserting a weft thread into a gripper shuttle which is driven by a single drive.

Another object of the invention is to use the weft tensioning means of the weft control apparatus also for actuating a weft stop motion in the case of thread breakage,

Another object of the invention is to provide a weft tensioning device which has a guiding position for guiding a weft thread along a substantially straight path from a Weft supply to the eye of a thread guide so that the Weft thread can be drawn off the weft supply by picked shuttle without substantial friction.

With these objects in view, the present invention relates to a weft control apparatus, particularly suited for a loom of the type in which a gripper shuttle draws weft threads alternately from weft supply packages located on opposite sides of the loom. One embodiment of the invention comprises thread guide means; brake means disposed intermediate thread supply means and the thread guide means; thread tensioning means disposed intermediate the brake means the thread guide means; and means for simultaneously operating the thread tensioning means and the brake means.

When the brake means is in the braking position, the thread tensioning means is in a tensioning position, and when the brake means releases the thread, the thread tensioning means is in a guiding position in which the 3,347,283 Patented Oct. 17, 1967 ice thread guiding portion thereof is substantially aligned with the supply means and with the thread guide portion of the thread guide means so that the thread passes without resistance through the brake means and the thread tensioning means. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, biassing means urge the thread tensioning means to the tensioning position and beyond the same, so that when the Weft thread breaks, the thread tensioning means operates a switch which controls the weft stop motion of the loom.

The weft control apparatus of the present invention is advantageously used with a thread guide means which is movable for inserting the Weft thread into a gripper shuttle or like device, and is held during the pick of the shuttle in an operative position in which it guides the weft thread drawn by the shuttle along a path spaced from the fell of the fabric being woven. In accordance with the invention, the thread guide is also operated in timed relation with the tensioning means and brake means so that the thread guide portion of the threads guide means is aligned with the thread guide portion of the tensioning means and with the thread supply when the thread guide means is in the operative position mentioned above, since during the pick of the shuttle, smooth passage of the drawn weft thread through the aligned guide portions is particularly important.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, actuating members secured to the thread guide means move with the same, and operate the thread tensioning means and the brake means, and the thread tensioning means in the guiding position, engages the brake means and holds the same in a position permitting free passage of the weft thread.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, partly schematic, horizontal sectional view illustrating one side of :a loom provided with a weft control apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, but illustrating another operational position of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 2, but illustrating a third operational position of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front view of the Weft control apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal, partially sectional view illustrating a detail of the apparatus on an enlarged scale in another operational position; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal, partially sectional view illustrating a detail of the apparatus in another operational position.

Referring now to the drawings, a slay 53 with a reed is reciprocated in a forward stroke in the direction of the arrow S and in a rearward stroke in the direction of the arrow S to and from a front dead center position illus trated in FIG. 2. A gripper shuttle 49 is alternately picked in the directions of the arrows S and S and arrives in the end position shown in FIG. 2 located outside of the warp shed of the fabric F on the right side of the loom when the slay is in the front dead center position. The means for reversing the shuttle and for picking the shuttle alternately in opposite directions are well known, and not illustrated in the drawing.

A thread guide 3 is mounted in a guide way So of a support 5 for reciprocating movement between an inoperative end position Z shown in FIG. 1, an intermediate weft inserting position X shown in FIG. 2, and a thread guiding end position Y shown in FIG. 3. A slide member 17 is secured by a screw 18 to thread guide 3 and guided in a slot 5b of support 5. Slide member 17 has a recess 16 engaged by a pin at the end of a lever 6 which is mounted on a shaft 7 and articulated to a link 8 guided on the frame portion 13 of the loom and having a cam follower roller 9 at its free end.

A rotary cam 10 is driven by shaft 12 in synchronism with the main shaft of the loom, and cooperates with cam follower 9 to turn lever 6 in clockwise direction against the action of spring 14 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 1. Cam 10 has cam lobes of different height, cam track portion 10a being the highest, cam track portion 100 the lowest, and cam track portion 10b of intermediate height. During rotation of cam 10, slide member 17 is reciprocated with thread guide 3 which has a guide portion 4 with a slanted eye through which a weft thread 1 passes. In the intermediate weft inserting position shown in FIG. 2, eye 4 is in the position X, in the foremost inoperative position shown in FIG. 1, eye 4 is in the position Z, and in the weft guiding position shown in FIG. 3, eye 4 is in the position Y.

The support means of the apparatus include a frame part 28 having lateral parts embracing the front end of support 5, and carrying a pair of guide rings 33 and 34 aligned with each other and with a weft thread supply package 2.

A thread tensioning means including an angular lever 22 and an eye 24 is mounted on support 5 turnable about a pivot pin 21. A spring 25 is secured to an ear 27 on thread tensioning lever 22 and to an ear 26 on slide member 17 so that thread tension lever 22 is urged to the tensioning position shown in FIG. 1 in which eye 24 is located transversely spaced from a line connecting guide rings 33, 34 with guide portion 4 so that a weft thread 1 is guided along an angular path as shown in FIG. 1 and 2. A fixed brake member 35 is secured to the upper part of frame 28 and cooperates with another brake member 36 on a double-armed lever 37 mounted on frame 28 turnable about a pivot pin 38. Arm 41 of lever 37 has a transverse projection cooperating with the end portion 23 of thread tensioning lever 22. A spring 39 abuts frame 28 and lever 37 to urge brake member 36 into engagement with brake member 35 for braking the weft thread 1 which is guided by guide rings 33 and 34 to pass between brake members 35 and 36.

The brake means 35 and 40 is operable by a cam 43 which, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, has a cam lobe 44 cooperating with lever arm 41. Cam 43 has an arm 47 connected by spring 46 to a fixed point 48 of frame 28, and a projection cooperating with an actuating member 19 which projects from slide member 17 and has a cutout or slot 19a through which thread tensioning lever 22 passes in the positions of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Spring 46 urges cam 43 to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which a low portion of cam 43 is engaged by lever arm 41 so that spring 39 urges brake member 36 to the braking position in which the weft thread is braked.

When actuating member 19 mOVes with slide 17 and thread guide 3 from the position of FIG. 1 to the position of FIG. 2 and then to the position of FIG. 5, actuating member 19 engages projection 45 and turns cam 43 against the action of spring 46 to the position shown in FIG. 5 in which arm 41 is turned in clockwise direction and brake member 36 assumes a releasing position spaced from brake member 35 and permitting free passage of weft thread 1. When actuating member 19 moves with slide member 17 and thread guide 3 toward the position of FIG. 3, projection 45 is again released and spring 46 turns cam 43 to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.

During movement of slide member 17 with actuating member 19 and thread guide 3, a second actuating member 20 projecting from slide member 17 in horizontal direction, engages an abutment portion 55 of thread tensioning lever 22 and turns the same from the pos t on shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2, to the guiding position shown in FIG. 3 in which the guide portion 24 is substantially aligned with thread supply means 2, 33, 34 and with guide portion 4 of thread guide 3.

In this position, the end portion 23 of thread tensioning lever 22 engages projection 40 of lever arm 41, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, so that lever 37 is turned in clockwise direction to the position shown in FIG. 3 in which brakes 35, 36 releases weft thread 1.

If a weft thread breaks, or becomes unduly loose spring 25 turns thread tensioning lever 22 from the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2 to the position shown in broken lines in which end portion 23 engages a contact arm 29 and presses its contact 31 against the contact 32 of the other contact arm 30 of a switch which is connected to the weft stop motion by which the loom is stopped. As shown in FIG. 2, the main drive motor M is connected to a three phase voltage source by contacts S of a relay R which is energized by a transformer T when contacts 31, 32 close and main switch A is closed. The energized relay opens contacts S so that the m stops. Consequently when the thread breaks, the loom is automatically stopped.

In order to permit exact timing of the several operations which have to be carried out in timed relation, slide 17 can be adjusted along thread guide 3 by loosening and again tightening screw 18. Furthermore, cam 10 includes a movable sector 11 having part-circular slots 11a receiving a pair of pins 11b of the main part of cam 10 so that the length of the highest portion of the peripheral cam track can be adjusted whereupon cam sector 11 is secured by screws, not shown. The length of the peripheral cam track of earns 10, 11 determines the time during which thread guide 3 is held in the inoperative position of FIG. 1. Shaft 12 with cam 10 rotates at half the number of revolutions of the main drive shaft of the loom. Spring 25 is exchangeable to adjust the pressure exerted by thread tensioning means 22, 24 on the weft thread to the specific properties of the thread and the weaving pattern of the fabric.

The gripper shuttle 49 is of a well known construction and includes a clamping spring 50 and a hook shaped clamping projection 51 cooperating with spring 50 to clamp and grip the weft thread.

Shuttle 49 is alternately picked on opposite sides of the loom, a weft control apparatus as shown in the drawing being provided on either side of the loom outwardly of the warp shed. FIG. 1 shows a position in which the shuttle 49 was picked at the other side of the loom and draws a weft thread 1 through the warp shed W sliding along the reed 52. The slay performs its forward stroke in the direction of the arrow S and arrives in the front dead center position shown in FIG. 2 when the shuttle arrives in the region of the thread guide 3. Due to the movement of the slay, spring 50 is pressed against the tip of thread guide 3 which is in its weft inserting position so that spring 50 moves away from clamping portion 51 and the gripped weft thread 1' is released. At the same time, thread 1, which is still connected to the previously inserted and beaten weft thread 54, is inserted into the shuttle. A cutting device 60 automatically cuts off thread 1 adjacent weft thread 54, and before thread guide 3 is moved toward the position shown in FIG. 3, the slay starts its return stroke in the direction S so that spring 50 moves away from thread guide 3 and resiliently engages the inserted weft thread and clamps the same against portion 51 of the shuttle, so that the shuttle can be picked to draw thread 1 through the warp shed W.

The above described weft control apparatus operates in the following manner:

In the initial position of FIG. 1, and during the movement of slay 53 with reed 52 in the direction of the arrow S cam is in a position in which its highest cam track portion 10a is effective so that slide 17 with thread guide 3 is withdrawn to an inoperative position. The end of the last inserted weft thread 54 is still connected to thread 1 which passes along an angular path through guide rings 24, 33, 34 to thread supply 2. Spring 39 holds brake means 36, 35 in a braking position, and thread tensioning means 22, 24 tensions the thread and is prevented by the same to engage the stop switch 29, 30. While the weft control device shown in the drawing is in the position of FIG. 1 holding and tensioning a stopped thread 1, the weft control apparatus on the other side of the loom is in the position of FIG. 3, and the shuttle 49 draws a weft thread 1 from the weft supply on the other side. of the machine through the warp shed in the direction of the arrow S Drive cam 10 continues its turning movement While shuttle 49 moves in the direction of the arrow S through the warp shed, and when shuttle 49 arrives in its end position and slay 53 arrives in its front dead center position shown in FIG. 2, the steep shoulder between cam portion 10a and cam portion 1% has already passed cam follower roller 9 which is located on the middle cam track portion 1015 so that thread guide 3 is in the thread inserting position shown in FIG. 2 and remains in the same for a short while since cam track portion 10b is of part-circular shape. Spring 50- of shuttle 49 is operated by the tip of thread guide 3 to release weft thread 1, whilethe portion of thread 1 located between the previously inserted weft 54 and the eye in guide portion 4 in the position X, is inserted into the gripper 50, 51 of the shuttle, and then cut off by cutting means 60 in the usual manner.

When slide member 17 is in the position of FIG. 2 for holding thread guide 3 in its weft inserting position, actuating member 19 arrives in a position in close proximity to the projection 45 of cam 43, and actuating member arrives in a position in close proximity to the recessed abutment portion 55 of thread tensioning lever 22.

After thread 1 has been inserted into the shuttle and cut off, the shuttle is picked, and slay 53 starts its movement in the direction of the arrow S At the same time, cam 10 turns to a position in which its lowest track portion 100 cooperates with cam follower roller 9 so that spring 14 turns lever 6 to a position in which slide member 17 moves thread guide 3 in the direction of the arrow S to follow slay 53 for a short distance until the eye of guide portion 4 is in the position Y. In this end position of thread guide 3, guide portion 4 is aligned with guide rings 33, 34 and with thread supply package 2.

Slide member 17, moving with thread guide 3 to the position of FIG. 3, first engages projection 45 and turns cam 43 to the position shown in FIG. 5 in which cam lobe 44 turns lever arm 41 to release brake 35, 36. Before actuating member 19 releases projection 45 during further movement of slide member 17 to the position of FIG. 3, actuating member 20, engaging abutment 55, turns thread tensioning lever 22 to a position in which lever end portion 23 engages projection 40 of brake lever 41 so that brake means 35, 36 is held in the open releasing position when actuating member 19 passes beyond projection 45 so that brake means 35, 36 is held open by the thread tensioning means 22, 23, 55 when spring 46 turns cam 43, 44 to the normal position shown in FIG. 3 after actuating member 19 has passed beyond projection 45 and thread guide 3 is in the thread guiding end position shown in FIG. 3. Actuating member 20 holds thread tensioning means 22 also in a thread guiding position in which guide ring 24 is aligned with guide rings 33, 34 of supply means 2 and with guide portion 4 in the position Y.

Consequently, the shuttle moving away from thread guide 3, draws weft thread 1 through the eye of guide" portion 4, and along a substantially straight line from supply means 2. The thread portion between eye 4 and shuttle 49 does not touch the last weft thread 54 in the fell of the fabric since the eye 4 is located rearwardly of the same so that the weft thread is supplied practically with out friction and consequently not subject to abrasion.

Brake means 35, 36 is held by the thread tensioning lever 22 in the releasing position while the thread tensioning lever is in the thread guiding position shown in FIG. 3, but cam 43 is necessary to assure opening of the brake means immediately when the thread guide 3 starts to move from the position of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrow S toward the thread guiding position Y as shown in FIG. 3 since the shuttle is picked during this time so that the brake means 35, 36 must be open. However, during the greater part of the travel of the shuttle, the end portion 23 of thread tensioning lever 22 holds the brake open, while cam 43, released by actuating member 119, is turned by spring 48 acting on arm 47 back to its inoperative position, as shown in FIG. 3. Even before the picking of the shuttle, the slay starts its return stroke in the direction of the arrow S so that a pull is exerted on thread 1 which requires the opening of the brake directly after the thread has been inserted into the shuttle.

During the travel of shuttle 49 in the direction S drawing weft thread 1 into the warp shed, the pointed end of the shuttle leads. A turnable shuttle box is provided at the other side of the loom, not shown, so that the shuttle is turned and then picked to return in the direction of the arrow 8;, with a weft thread 1" supplied from a supply means 2 on the other side of the loom, not shown. As soon as shuttle 49 arrives at the other side of the loom and is stopped in a shuttle box, it is necessary to brake and tension weft thread 1. Card 10 continues its turning movement sothat the steep shoulder between the lowest cam track portion 10c and the highest cam track portion 10a cooperates with cam follower roller 9 so that slide member 17 and thread guide 3 are rapidly moved from the thread guiding position of FIG. 3 to the inoperative position of FIG. 1. The exact moment at which the thread guide arrives in this position, is determined by adjustment of the adjustable cam sector 11.

Directly after the movement in the direction of the arrow S out of the position shown in FIG. 3 is started, actuating member 20 is followed by thread tensioning lever 22 under the action of spring 25 so that end portion 23 releases projection 40 of brake levers 41, 37, permitting spring 39 to move brake member 36 toward brake member 35 and to brake and stop weft thread 1, as shown in FIG. 6. As soon as the thread is braked, it is also tensioned since spring 25 urges the thread tensioning means 22, 23, 24 toward the position of FIG. 1. Actuating member. 19 passes projection 45 which resiliently yields in the position of FIG. 6 and turns cam 43 against the action of the spring 46 without influencing the position of brake lever 37. The weight of tensioning lever 22 assists the tensioning action of spring 25.

While thread tensioning means 22, 24 acts on the thread, the same is held'by brakes 35, 36 so that tensioning lever 22 cannot move beyond the position shown in FIG. land 2. However, if the weft thread breaks, or is extremely slack, spring 25 will move the thread tensioning lever to the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 2 in which switch 29, 30 is closed and the weft stop motion actuated in the usual manner to stop the loom.

During the picks of the shuttle in the direction S slay 53 moves in the direction of the arrow S When a new weft thread 1' has been inserted into shuttle 49 on the other side of the loom, and the shuttle has been reversed and picked, it travels in the direction of the arrow S while the slay performs its reciprocating stroke in the direction of the arrow S The movement of thread guide 3 to the thread inserting position shown in FIG. 2 out of the inoperative position shown in FIG. 1 is started under control of cam 10 in such timed relationship with the slay movement that thread guide 3 is in the position of FIG. 2 at the moment in which the slay arrives in its front dead center position, and the shuttle arrives in a position in which its gripper spring 50 is located opposite the tip of thread guide 3 so that the same opens the gripper spring, permitting release of the just inserted weft thread, and insertion of a new thread 1, as shown in FIG. 2. At the same time, the reed 52 beats the just inserted weft thread into the fell of the fabric. The cycle described with reference to the weft control apparatus illustrated in the drawing, is carried out correspondingly by the weft control apparatus on the other side of the loom, which is not shown since the apparatus is identical with the illustrated mechanism.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of looms differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a weft thread control apparatus including a thread guide for inserting a thread into a gripper shuttle, a thread tensioning means, and a thread brake operated in timed relationship by a single drive, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential char acteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a loom, in combination, a weft control apparatus comprising thread guide means having a first thread guide portion and being movable between an inoperative end position, a thread guiding end position, and an intermediate inserting position for inserting a thread into a shuttle; thread supply means for supplying a weft thread to said first thread guide portion; thread tension ing means having a second thread guide portion and being disposed intermediate said supply means and said thread guide means, and being movable between a tensioning position, and a guiding position in which said second guide portion is substantially aligned with said supply means and with said first guide portion in said thread guiding end position of said thread guide means; and means controlling said thread tensioning means and said thread guide means to be simultaneously in said guiding positions.

2. In a loom, in combination, a weft control apparatus comprising thread guide means having a first thread guide portion and being movable between an inoperative end position, a thread guiding end position, and an intermediate inserting position for inserting a thread into a shuttle; thread supply means for supplying a weft thread to said first thread guide portion; brake means disposed intermediate said supply means and said thread guide means and having a braking position for braking the thread and a releasing position permitting free passage of the thread from said thread supply means to said thread guide means; thread tensioning means disposed intermediate said brake means and said thread guide means and being movable between a tensioning position and a guiding position, said thread tensioning means having a second thread guide portion substantially aligned in said guiding position with said supply means and with said first guide portion when said thread guide means is in said thread guiding end position; and means controlling said thread tensioning means, said thread guide means, and said brake means so that said tensioning means and brake means are simultaneously in said tensioning and braking position, while said thread guide means is in said inoperative and inserting positions, and simultaneously in said guiding and releasing positions respectively, while said thread guide means is in said thread guiding position.

3. In a loom, in combination, a weft control apparatus comprising supporting means; thread guide means including a first guide portion and a slide member guided in said supporting means for moving said first guide portion between an inoperative position and an operative position; thread supply means for supplying a weft thread to said first guide portion; brake means disposed intermediate said supply means and said first guide portion aligned with the same, and having a braking position for braking the thread and a releasing position; thread tensioning means including a second guide portion and being mounted on said supporting means for movement be tween a tensioning position, and a guiding position in which said second guide portion is aligned along a substantially straight path with said brake means, and also with said first guide portion when said thread guide means is in said operative position; actuating means secured to said slide member for moving said brake means and said thread tensioning means between said positions of the same so that said first and second guide portions are simultaneously in said operative and guiding positions when said brake means is in said releasing position, and are in said inoperative and tensioning positions, respectively, when said brake means is in said braking position; and drvie means for reciprocating said slide member with said first guide portion and with said actuating means.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said thread tensioning means includes a thread tensioning lever and a spring urging said thread tensioning lever to saidtensioning position; and wherein said actuating means include an actuating member secured to said slide member for movement therewith so as to be spaced from said thread tensioning lever in said inoperative position of said thread guide means, and to engage said thread tensioning lever in said operative position of said thread guide means for urging the same to said thread tensioning position.

5. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said brake means includes a pair of brake members, a spring urging said brake members to said braking position, and a brake lever connected to one of said brake members; and wherein said brake lever is operated by said thread tensioning means in said thread guiding position of the latter to hold said brake members in said releasing position.

6. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said thread tensioning means includes a tensioning lever mounted on said support means for pivotal movement between said guiding and tensioning positions; wherein said brake means includes a pair of brake members, a spring urging said brake members to said braking position, and a brake lever connected to one of said brake members and being operated by said thread tensioning lever in said guiding position of said thread tensioning means to hold said one brake member in a position spaced from the other brake member so that said brake means is in said releasing position.

7. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 6 and including a control cam cooperating with said brake lever and having an operative position for placing said brake means in said releasing position, and spring means for urging said control cam to an inoperative position; and wherein said actuating means includes another actuating member for turning said control cam from said inoperative position to said operative position during movement of said first and second guide portions to said thread guiding positions so that said brake means is released before said thread tensioning lever in said thread guiding position of said thread tensioning means engages and holds said brake lever.

8. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said spring urges said thread tensioning lever out of said guiding position to move along a path toward an end position; and a switch located along said path and actuated by said thread tensioning lever in said end position upon breakage of a thread holding said tensioning lever in said tensioning position intermediate said guiding and end positions, said switch being adapted to be connected to a weft stop motion for stopping the loom.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said drive means include a reciprocable lever connected with said slide member and having a cam follower, a rotary cam cooperating with said cam follower to move said lever so that said thread guide means is moved from said operative position to said inoperative position, and a spring acting on said last mentioned lever to urge said cam follower against said cam and said thread guide means to move from said inoperative position to said operative position, said actuating means being operated when said slide member is reciprocated by said lever.

10. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said rotary cam includes an adjustable part for varying the length of a cam track portion effective for holding said slide member in a position in which said first guide portion is in said inoperative position.

11. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said supporting means include a first support having a guide way for said thread guide means and said slide member, and an upright support for supporting said brake means; and including a pair of guide rings aligned with said supply means and with said first and second guide portions in said guiding position and located on opposite sides of said brake means.

12. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said thread guide means includes a needle-shaped thread guide having said guide portion at the tip thereof and formed with an eye slanted in the direction in which said guide portions and said supply means are aligned, and wherein said slide member embraces said thread guide, and a screw for attaching said slide member to said thread guide adjustable along the length of the latter.

13. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said brake tensioning means cooperates with said brake means for moving the same to said releasing position when arriving in said thread guiding position; said slide member having an actuating portion for moving said thread tensioning means to said thread guiding poistion when said slide member moves with said first guide por tion to said thread guiding position of the latter.

14. A weft control apparatus as set forth in claim 13 and including a spring connecting said slide member with said thread tensioning means for urging the latter against said actuating portion and toward said thread tensioning position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,817,367 12/1957 Pfarrwaller 139l22 X FOREIGN PATENTS 396,961 5/1933 Great Britain 139-122 458,695 6/1950 Italy 139-122 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner. H. S. JAUDON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A LOOM, IN COMBINATION, A WEFT CONTROL APPARATUS COMPRISING THREAD GUIDE MEANS HAVING A FIRST THREAD GUIDE PORTION AND BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN AN INOPERATIVE END POSITION, A THREAD GUIDING END POSITION, AND AN INTERMEDIATE INSERTING POSITION FOR INSERTING A THREAD INTO A SHUTTLE; THREAD SUPPLY MEANS FOR SUPPLY A WEFT THREAD TO SAID FIRST THREAD GUIDE PORTION; THREAD TENSIONING MEANS HAVING A SECOND THREAD GUIDE PORTION AND BEING DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE SAID SUPPLY MEANS AND SAID THREAD GUIDE MEANS, AND BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN A TENSIONING POSITION, AND A GUIDING POSITION IN WHICH SAID SECOND GUIDE PORTION IS SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID SUPPLY MEANS AND WITH SAID FIRST GUIDE PORTION IN SAID THREAD GUIDING END POSITION OF SAID THREAD GUIDE MEANS; AND MEANS CONTROLLING SAID THREAD TENSIONING MEANS AND SAID THREAD GUIDE MEANS TO BE SIMULTANEOUSLY IN SAID GUIDING POSITIONS. 